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Karnataka

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis ©Aseem Kumar Kothiala Website

Karnataka is the third largest state in peninsular India (covering nearly 192,000 km2), and is situated in the southwestern region. It is the eight most populous with an estimated population (2024) of over sixty-eight million inhabitants. It is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the northeast, Goa and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast and Kerala to the southwest. The Capital is Bangalore, which is the most cosmopolitan city with Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli being other major cities. It is the fourth largest city in India with a population of more than fourteen million people and regarded as India’s Silicon Valley and the state houses over 2,000 IT companies! Kannada is the principal language, although there is a sizeable population of Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Konkani and Hindi speaking people. English is the lingua franca helping the people from diverse cultural backgrounds to communicate freely.

The state has three principal geographical zones: The coastal region of Karavali and Tulu Nadu; the hilly Malenadu region comprising the Western Ghats and the Bayaluseeme region comprising the plains of the Deccan Plateau. The bulk of the state is in the Bayaluseeme region, the northern part of which is the second-largest arid region in India. The highest point in Karnataka is the Mullayanagiri hills in Chikmagalur district which has an altitude of 1,925 m (6,316 ft). The two main river systems of the state are the Krishna and its tributaries, the Bhima, Ghataprabha, Vedavathi, Malaprabha and Tungabhadra in North Karnataka, and the Kaveri and its tributaries, the Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavati, Lakshmana Thirtha and Kabini, in South Karnataka. Most of these rivers flow out of Karnataka eastward, reaching the sea at the Bay of Bengal. Other prominent rivers such as the Sharavati in Shimoga and Netravati in Dakshina Kannada flow westward to the Lakshadweep Sea. A large number of dams and reservoirs are constructed across these rivers which richly add to the irrigation and hydroelectricity power generation capacities of the state.

Kudremukh National Park – ©Navi guy, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The state has forested regions of more than 38,000 km2 of forest cover – 16% of its territory. These are the Western Ghats, running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast on the west, along the length of the state. The tri-state junction in the south forms the Nilgiri Bio-sphere Reserve, one of the top global bio-diversity hotspots, and it also hosts a handful of national parks, mostly in the southern parts of the state. The rest of the state, on the eastern side, is a flat plain comprising the Deccan Plateau. Altitudes vary from sea level on the western coast to about 300m in most of the north & north-east, about 600m in most of the south and south-east and 900m+ towards the south-east side where the Western Ghats begin. The state has a coastline of approximately 270km (Mangalore-Karwar) dotted with some of the finest beaches and sacred religious places.

Karnataka experiences four seasons. The winter in January and February is followed by summer between March and May, the monsoon season between June and September and the post-monsoon season from October till December. Meteorologically, Karnataka is divided into three zones – coastal, north interior and south interior. Of these, the coastal zone receives the heaviest rainfall with an average rainfall of about 143 inches per annum, far in excess of the state average (45 inches). Agumbe in Thirthahalli taluka and Hulikal of Hosanagara taluka in Shimoga district were the rainiest cities in Karnataka, situated in one of the wettest regions in the world.

Birding Karnataka

Karnataka is home to a variety of wildlife. Its forests support 25% of the elephant and 10% of the tiger population of India. Many regions of Karnataka are as yet unexplored, so new species of flora and fauna are found periodically. The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, includes the western region of Karnataka. The Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks are included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Indian roller and the Indian elephant are recognised as the state bird and animal while sandalwood and the lotus are recognised as the state tree and flower respectively. All told, Karnataka has five national parks: Anshi, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh and Nagarhole. It also has 27 wildlife sanctuaries of which seven are bird sanctuaries.

Elephant in Bandipur National Park – ©Yathin S Krishnappa CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Wild animals that are found in Karnataka include the elephant, the tiger, the leopard, the gaur, the sambar deer, the chital or spotted deer, the muntjac, the bonnet macaque, the slender loris, the common palm civet, the small Indian civet, the sloth bear, the dhole, the striped hyena, the Bengal fox and the golden jackal. Some of the birds found here are the great hornbill, the Malabar pied hornbill, the Ceylon frogmouth, herons, ducks, kites, eagles, falcons, quails, partridges, lapwings, sandpipers, pigeons, doves, parakeets, cuckoos, owls, nightjars, swifts, kingfishers, bee-eaters and munias.

The state enjoys a quite long winter and is a frequent stopover point for winter migrants. Bar-headed Geese can been seen in very big flocks in Mysore and some regions of north Karnataka. Karnataka also plays host to a large number of winter breeders like Painted Stork, White Ibis, etc. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, situated about 80Kms from Mysore is one of the most active nesting areas.

Tourism is a major industry in the state, providing the tourists with a wide variety of choice in religious, historical, eco & wildlife and leisure sectors. Karnataka treats a visitor to an authentic flavour of the peninsular India with it’s numerous options.

Top Sites

  • Anshi National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    A 250sq km national park (the final declaration of its status is pending) that lies in the Western Ghats adjoining Goa state and the Dandeli National Park. It is located in the Uttara Kannada district and consists of semi-evergreen & evergreen forests. Apart from birds you may see Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Wildboar, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Slender Loris, Indian Wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel and Giant flying squirrel, the Big 4 venomous snakes & Indian rock Python. Special birds include Great pied Hornbill Buceros bicornis, Malabar pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus, & Srilanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus monileger.

  • Bandipur National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    The park stretches over 874 square kilometers (337 sq mi), protecting the wildlife of Karnataka. Together with the adjoining Nagarhole National Park (643 km2 (248 sq mi)), Mudumalai National Park (320 km2 (120 sq mi)) and Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary (344 km2 (133 sq mi)), it forms the largest protected area in Southern India, totaling 2,183 km2 (843 sq mi). It is notable as the home to around seventy Bengal tigers and over three thousand Indian elephants (in 1997 [1]) Bandipur is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve…

  • Gudavi Bird Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    A small bird preserve with a large tank and surrounding dense moist deciduous forest and agricultural fields. Noted for its migratory and resident waterfowl. About 8000 White Ibis are recorded annually.

  • Kabini River Lodge

    WebsiteSatellite View
    About 6 hrs drive from Bangalore, this is a favourite spot for wildlife lovers in the dry season. Kabini River Lodge on the banks of River Kabini, was once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore…

  • Kudremukh National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    A 600 sq km of pristine wilderness area nestled in western ghats is known for the nature's bounty in the form of it's numerous rivers and beautiful landscapes. The story of this national park is one of the sweetest success stories for the environmental NGOs of India who fought tirelessly for decades to close down mining operations of a large mining corporation in the core area and replant the area destroyed by their activities. The park is a mixture of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and Shola grasslands which supports Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Lion-tailed Macaque and such top birds as Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus, Great Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii, and Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia.

  • Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    This 247sq km sanctuary comprises evergreen,semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Located in the Udipi district,approximately 425 km from Bangalore and 130km from Mangalore. Atractions include Lion-tailed Macaque, Giant Squirrels and Slender Loris and the endangered Cane Turtle. Top birds include White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra and Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus.

  • Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    A winter spot for birds and birders. Some species of birds that are known to have made Ranganathittu their breeding abode are Spoonbills, Open-bill Storks, Darters, White Ibis, Little Cormorants, River Tern etc.

  • Selected Additional Sites

    Attiveri Bird Sanctuary - a 2.23sq km bird sanctuary in and around the Attiveri reservoir, located in Uttara Kannada district approximately 400km from Bangalore via Shiggaon and 43km from Hubli.Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - situated in the western ghats comprising moist and dry deciduous forests it is a 492sq km sanctuary which is recently upgraded to a Project Tiger Reserve. Noted for Rubythroated Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus, Shama Copsychus malabaricus, Malabar Whistling Thrush, 4 species of the Hornbills, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus, Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus, & White bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis.Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary - particularly noted for Rufous bellied Hawk-eagle Hieraaetus kienerii.Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary - noted for Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica, Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus, Malabar Trogon. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary - noted for Sirkeer Cuckoo Phaenicophaeus leschenaultia, Greenbilled Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis and Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus nanus.Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - One of the last patches of pristine forests in the Western Ghats, which extends over 475 sq km. Noted for White-cheeked Barbet Megalaima viridis. Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary - Situated along the Ghataprabha river and has an area of 30sq km. Noted for water birds.
Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 570

    (As at July2024)

    State Bird: Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Karnataka , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • BUBO

    Checklist
    This checklist includes all species that have been reported in Karnataka in eBird, but updated to IOC taxonomy, together with the likelihood of seeing each species for each month of the year.

  • Indian Birds

    PDF Checklist
    A checklist is the first metric of the biodiversity of an area. Here, we present a checklist of the birds of Karnataka State (India; hereinafter Karnataka). All references that deal with the collection of specimens, and all online and published sources that deal with photographs, have been collated as supporting evidence. Karnataka has 531 species of birds, 16 of which are endemic to the Western Ghats, and 27 species that fall under the various threatened categories of the IUCN. The inclusion of 524 species have been supported with collected specimens, or with clear photographs. Accepted sight records (seven species), and a secondary list of unconfirmed records are also discussed.

  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    The Indian state of Karnataka has 570 bird species within its boundaries. The following list of birds is based on multiple sources and incorporates recent taxonomic revisions. Species which are considered provisional, introduced or escapees are mentioned, but are not considered in the count.

  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Birds of Southern Coastal Karnataka

    | By K Prabhakar Achar | Bhuvanendra Nature Club | 2012 | Paperback | 239 pages, 56 plates with 224 colour photos; distribution maps | ISBN: Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of Southern India

    | By Richard Grimmett & Tim Inskipp | Helm | 2005 | Paperback | 240 pages, 87 colour plates, b/w illustrations, 1 map | ISBN: 9780713651645 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Song Birds of Southern India

    | Towards a new Paradigm of Song, Species and Genetics of Evolution | By Namratha Mogararal | Regency Publications | 2016 | Hardback | 201 pages, colour illustrations | ISBN: 9789352220069 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Festivals & Bird Fairs

  • Karnataka Bird Festival

    Webpage
    Nestled within the verdant expanse of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, the forest canopy comes alive with the vibrant presence of the Black-hooded Oriole. This striking bird, adorned in its resplendent yellow plumage with a contrasting black head, transforms the lush landscape into a mesmerizing tableau of colour and sound. The Black-hooded Oriole, with its melodious calls and striking appearance, captivates visitors, adding to the reserve’s rich tapestry of wildlife.
Organisations

  • Bengaluru Bird Day

    Website
    In association with, BV Jagadeesh Science Centre

  • Birdwatchers' Field Club of Bangalore

    Website
    The group has been active in conducting mid-winter waterfowl censuses. The club was also involved in a survey of wetlands around Bangalore in collaboration with the Forest Department of the Karnataka state and was involved in a comprehensive survey of water quality parameters including chemical, physical and biological status.…

  • Coastal Karnataka Birdwatchers Network

    Facebook Page
    We will make use of this space to share the information, share pictures and events related to nature and conservation of birds

  • Karnataka Bieding Club

    Facebook Page
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • BS Attiveri

    InformationSatellite View
    Spread over an area of about 2.23 km2, the sanctuary is located in and around the Attiveri reservoir. The part of the sanctuary surrounding the reservoir has riverine and deciduous forests. Birds inhabiting this area include cattle egret, Indian and little cormorants, black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, pied and white-throated kingfishers, Indian grey hornbill and barn swallow. The agricultural fields surrounding the sanctuary attract a variety of aquatic creatures.

  • BS Ghataprabha

    InformationSatellite View
    Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary is 29.78 square kilometres, and its boundaries enclose a stretch of about 28 km of the Ghataprabha River, including the reservoir resulting from the dam built near Dhupdhal. The sanctuary is known for migratory birds such as the demoiselle crane and European white stork. It is surrounded by agricultural fields. Between November and March is the best time to visit the sanctuary, when most of the migratory bird species nest there.

  • BS Gudavi

    InformationSatellite View
    Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is located on the Banavasi Road in Gudavi of Sorab Taluk which is 16.01 km from Sorab town. The bird sanctuary is one of the best five of Karnataka. It is spread over an area of 0.74 square km. 217 different species of birds belonging to 48 families are found there.

  • BS Ranganathittu

    InformationSatellite View
    Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, also known as Pakshi Kashi of Karnataka, is a bird sanctuary. It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state,[2] only 40 acres (16 ha) in area, and comprises six islets on the banks of the Kaveri river. The islands are host to numerous small mammals, including bonnet macaque, colonies of flying fox and common small mammals like common palm civet and Indian gray mongoose and the monitor lizard. The mugger crocodile or marsh crocodile is a common inhabitant of the riverine reed beds and Ranganathittu has largest fresh water crocodile population in Karnataka state as well, of course, as many bird species.

  • NP Bandipur

    InformationSatellite View
    Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is a tiger reserve with an area of 900 square km. In the dense moist deciduous forests of this area the upper canopy reaches heights of 30m and valuable hardwoods like teak and rosewood are also to be found here. This is one of the finest habitats of the Asian elephant. Drained by the Moyar River, its open forest makes it easy for visitors to see the elephant and gaur in natural surroundings…

  • NP IBA Nagarhole

    InformationSatellite View
    It is one of India's premier Tiger Reserves along with the adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The park has a healthy predator-prey ratio, with many tigers, Gaur, elephants, Indian leopards, and deer (Chital, Sambar, etc.). Recognised as an Important Bird Area the park has over 270 species of birds including the 'critically endangered' Oriental white-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), 'vulnerable' lesser adjutant (Leptopilos javanicus), greater spotted eagle (Aquila changa) and the Nilgiri wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii).

  • NP Kudremukh

    InformationSatellite View
    Kuduremukha is a mountain range and name of a peak located in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station cum mining town situated near the mountain, about 48 kilometres from Karkala and around 20 kilometres from Kalasa. Kudremukh National Park is spread partly over the thick hilly forests near the coastal plains on the western portion and the shola vegetation on the Western Ghats uplands, covering parts of three districts, viz., Chickmagalur, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

  • NP Mudumalai

    InformationSatellite View
    The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests, make Mudumalai (the ancient hills) a most attractive wildlife reserve. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur. Just 321sq. km. in area the hilly terrain provides diverse habitats. There are at least 266 species of birds in the sanctuary, including critically endangered Indian white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture.

  • TR Kali Tiger Reserve (NP Anshi)

    InformationSatellite View
    The black panther, elephants and tigers live in the park but are rarely seen. Other large mammals here abound. Interesting birds include the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Indian Grey Hornbill and Asian Fairy Bluebird. Around 200 species of birds are recorded in the park. These include the distinctive adjutant stork, ashy woodswallow, black-crested bulbul, blue-headed pitta, brahminy kite, broad-billed roller, crested serpent eagle, golden-backed woodpecker and yellow-footed green pigeon.

  • WS Bhadra

    InformationSatellite View
    Bhadra sanctuary consists of two adjacent sections. The main western Lakkavalli-Muthodi section lies from 13˚22’ to 13˚47’ N latitude, 75˚29’ to 75˚45’ E longitude and the smaller eastern Bababudangiri section from 13˚30’ to 13˚33’ N latitude and 75˚44’ to 75˚47’ E longitude. An estimated 33 tigers are found in Bhadra. It has more than 300 species of birds, some endemic to this region and some migratory.[4] Some of the species are grey junglefowl, red spurfowl, painted bush quail, emerald dove, southern green imperial pigeon, great black woodpecker, Malabar parakeet, hill myna, ruby-throated bulbul, shama, Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush, four species of hornbill and racquet-tailed drongo.

  • WS Biligiriranganatha Swamy Temple

    InformationSatellite View
    The Biligirirangana Hills, commonly called BR Hills, is a hill range situated in south-eastern Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu (Erode District) in South India. The forests form an important wildlife corridor between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, linking the largest populations of Asian elephants and tigers in southern India. A recent (2017) survey has revealed the presence of 62 tigers in this sanctuary. 254 species of birds recorded in the BR hills. These include the enigmatic southern population of the white-winged tit (Parus nuchalis).

  • WS Brahmagiri

    InformationSatellite View
    It is situated on the border between Wyanad District of Kerala state on the south and Kodagu District in Karnataka on the north side. It is located at a distance of 243 km from Bangalore. Birds in the sanctuary include emerald dove, black bulbul and Malabar trogon.

  • WS Cauvery

    InformationSatellite View
    The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagar districts. The two most endangered species in the sanctuary are Gyps species of vultures – the white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian vulture (Gyps indicus). The four vulnerable species reported are Nilgiri wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii), greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga), white-naped tit (Parus nuchalis) and yellow-throated bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus). Other bird species reported are 25 species of Malayan Tropical Dry Zone which includes the near threatened red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus). The species of least concern reported here is the resident white-bellied blue-flycatcher (Cyornis pallipes).

  • WS Dandeli

    InformationSatellite View
    Along with neighboring Anshi National Park (339.87 square kilometres (83,980 acres)), the sanctuary was declared part of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in 2006. Karnataka state government has officially notified the Dandeli Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant on 4 June 2015.

  • WS Mookambika

    InformationSatellite View
    The sanctuary lies in the Western Ghats in Udupi district of Karnataka. The sanctuary consists of an area of 274 km2 (106 square miles). It has west coast tropical evergreen forests, west coast semi evergreen forests, southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests and dry grasslands in its ranges. Good for large mamals and Jungle myna, Peafowl, Great Indian hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, Common fowl, Common myna, White cheeked bulbul, Red vented bulbul, Little cormorant, Cattle egret, Little egret, Black drongo, Jungle crow, Crow pheasant, Brahminy kite, Grey jungle fowl, Pea fowl, White breasted water hen, Red wattled lapwinger, Spotted dove, Blue rock pigeon, White breasted king fisher, Golden backed threetoed wood pecker, Scarlet minicret, Ashy swallow shrike, Paradise fly catcher, Magpie robin, Taylor bird, Purple sunbird, White backed munia, Golden oriole.
Sightings, News & Forums
Guides & Tour Operators

  • Asian Adventures

    Tour Operator
    Nagarhole (or Rajiv Gandhi) National Park is located in the Kodagu (Coorg) and Mysore districts in Karnataka. Along with the adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve, it is one of India’s premier tiger reserves and forms an important elephant habitat as well.

  • Authentic India Tours

    Tour Operator
    South India Bird Watching Tour

  • BUBO

    Tour Operator
    Nagarhole (or Rajiv Gandhi) National Park is located in the Kodagu (Coorg) and Mysore districts in Karnataka, and named after the Nagarahole river (Cobra river in Kannada, the local language). Part of the overall Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and, together with the contiguous forests of Bandipur in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, and Wayanad in Kerala, this is one of the last remaining and best protected habitats for Asian Elephants and Tigers. Wild Dog “Dhole” and Leopard, are also regularly seen, and birds are plentiful in the forests and along the Kabini river.

  • Bangalore Birding

    Tour Operator
    Personalised bird watching, photography and wildlife tours around Bangalore, Mysore and Coorg in the Western Ghats. Flexible itineraries and locations on our bangalore birding and wildlife trips to suit your specific requirements as a traveling birder.

  • BirdQuest

    Tour Operator
    SOUTH INDIA & ANDAMAN ISLANDS – Owls (including Sri Lanka Bay Owl), endemics and specialities

  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    Birding Tour India: The South – Western Ghats and Nilgiri Endemics

  • Eldhose Bird Tours

    Tour Operator
    One of the finest Birding expeditions you can find in Kerala as well as other southern parts of India (Tamilnadu & Karnataka) would be definitely Eldhose Bird Tours.

  • Indian Holiday

    Tour Operator
    Karnataka Bird Watching Tour

  • Tropical Birding

    Tour Operator
    South Indian Tour

  • WINGS

    Tour Operator
    Compared with the north, southern India has been relatively poorly explored by visiting birdwatchers, a fact that is all the more surprising considering the high number of species that are either endemic to peninsular India or shared only with neighboring Sri Lanka.

  • thrillophilia

    Tour Operator
    Birding Tours in Karnataka
Trip Reports

  • 2015 [12 December] - Thomas

    Report
    We also found a fruiting fig tree that was a magnet for birds. We saw birds including several Coppersmith Barbets, White-cheeked Barbets, a lone Brown-headed Barbet, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon and Yellow-footed Green Pigeon.

  • 2018 [10 October] - Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar

    Report
    Every Dandeli trip has always been special, be it Black Panther sighting or mix-hunting parties or dust bath of Malabar Pied Hornbills or exciting night trails… Dandeli is always thrilling….

  • 2019 [02 February] - John Nat Arifin

    Report
    Why Bird Photography at Geneshgudi ? Jayakumar, a friend of mine had told me of a great birding hot spot where I could see 40-50 species of birds just by heading to one location in Ganeshgudi, in Western Ghats, Karnataka, India. Boy was he right. It was mid February that just within 3 hours in the afternoon that I got to photograph at least 20 species when I arrived at the Old Magazine House in Ganeshgudi, Karnataka in the Western Ghats. The next few days, I got 40 more new species on my 4 day 3 night visit. 4D3N Bird Photography Trip to Ganeshgudi, Karnataka, Western Ghats India.

  • 2020 [06 June] - Thomas

    Report
    Birding in Coastal Karnataka; something that I had been wanting to do several times. I had made plans thrice before. Unfortunately they all had to be aborted mid way. Well I finally managed to do it in mid Jan 2020.
Places to Stay

  • Dubare Elephant Camp - Dubare Reserve Forest

    Accommodation
    The Karnataka Forest Department has about 150 Elephants in various camps and Dubare has been historically an important camp. The Elephants for the famous Mysore Dassehra were trained here. But presently after logging operations have ceased, the Forest Department does not really know what to do with all its elephants! They (Elephants) have been practically retired except for giving some rides to odd tourists. At the same time, the Forest Department spends quite some money to maintain them and their mahouts..

  • Kabini River Lodge - Nagarhole National Park

    Accommodation
    Kabini River Lodge on the banks of River Kabini, Karnataka, India is a Jungle Lodges Enterprise and was Once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore. Kabini is today rated among the top five wildlife resorts in the world. Take the jeep safari through the Nagarhole National Park where you are bound to see herds of elephants grazing, wild dogs, bisons, deer, peacocks, wild boars a variety of birds and maybe if you`re lucky, those elusive big cats: the tiger and the panther
Other Links

  • Birds of Ranganatittu

    Website
    Ranganatittu is a outstanding bird sanctuary in Karnataka (index, map). It is located at down stream Krishnanarajasagar reservoir in Kaveri river basin. It comprises of five islands, strewn with a large number of boulders. In addition to permanent residents, a large number of migratory birds visit the sanctuary in different seasons of the year

  • Birdwatching in Bangalore

    Facebook Page
    An informal page, for those who like the diversity of birdlife in Bangalore and love what the city and its environs have to offer. This page will also offer updates on all regular birding outings in Bangalore for those on FaceBook.
Blogs

  • Kiran Kashyap's Photologue

    BLOG
    Tucked away from the city limits, in the middle of the forests is a place with abundant wildlife culture. Sangama is a popular destination for more than one reason. It is said that the river Kaveri meets it's tributaries at this place. A holy trademark for all pilgrims who'd take an anxious dip in the river to wipe off their sins.
Photographers & Artists

  • Photographer - Manas Khan - In admiration of artless beauty

    Gallery
    This photo gallery is . . . in admiration of artless beauty, the grace of God's creation in its purest and most truthful form

  • Photographer - Sudhir Shivaram

    Gallery
    I was bitten by the shutterbug even during my college days when I was part of the Malnad Amateur Photographers Society (MAPS) at the Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan. What began as a random interest in photography gradually gained direction and I became more and more focused on wildlife photography. It also helped that I had by then shifted base to Bangalore and it made it easier for me to frequent the forests around Bangalore-Mysore

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